Dubai Starts Trial Operation of 3D Printed Abra
Never let it be said that the United Arab Emirates is a stranger to innovative technologies. In Dubai, the country’s most populous city, especially, we have seen a number of projects using 3D printing in recent years. And now there is yet another one. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced that it has launched the trial operation of what it claims to be the World’s first electric, 3D printed abra.
It was just last September that a 3D printed water taxi broke world records in Abu Dhabi. This latest news shows the increased role that additive manufacturing is expected to play in the maritime sector in the UAE. What’s even cooler as well is the way that the project is mixing traditional and modern shipbuilding.
Traditional wooden abras on the Dubai Creek (photo credits: By Phil6007 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0)
An abra is a traditional boat made out of wood that is used to ferry people across the Dubai Creek. This natural saltwater waterway ranges from 600 to 3940 ft (200 to 1200 meters) in width and stretches from a natural port in Dubai all the way to the Persian Gulf, 8.1 miles (13 km away). Abras travel between the Deira and Bur Dubai sides of the city and are the oldest form of public transport in Dubai.
By creating a 3D printed electric abra, government officials not only will marry the tradition with modernity, but also hope to significantly improve maritime transport services in the city. “The trial operation of the electric abra manufactured using 3D printing technology, along with the improvement of traditional abra stations project, is part of RTA’s master plan to enhance the marine transport services, a vital mobility means in Dubai, adding much value to the maritime transport sector,” explains His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA.
Making a 3D Printed Abra
Manufactured by Al Seer Marine Company in Abu Dhabi (who were responsible for the 3D printed water taxi last year) along with other companies including Mitsubishi (which provided materials) and Siemens (which supervised the programming and calibration of the printer), the 3D printed abra in and of itself is rather notable. Although designed and built to retain the traditional abra identity, using 3D printing is expected to reduce abra manufacturing time by 90%, slash manufacturing costs by 30%, and cut operation and maintenance expenses by 30%. All while also supporting the RTA’s environmental sustainability strategy for maritime transport.
The 3D printed abra can transport up to 20 passengers (photo credits: RTA)
Furthermore, as a 3D printed object, it has some other notable features. Al Tayer noted, “The newly manufactured abra features numerous technical attributes, including the longest monocoque structure created using 3D printing technology, measuring 11 meters in length and 3.1 meters in width. It has an electric propulsion system powered by two 10-kilowatt motors and lithium batteries.”
Beyond this trial operation of the 3D printed abra, the RTA is also working to improve the traditional abra stations in Dubai, used by over 14 million passengers annually. Although, it is not mentioned whether additive manufacturing will be used for this, sustainability and lower costs continue to be important, according to a press release from the RTA.
Al Tayer concludes, “The abra will be operated at the Sheikh Zayed Road Marine Transport Station on the TR6 line on a trial base. During this operation phase, the performance of the abra will be monitored and compared with the current 20-passenger fiberglass abras.” You can learn more about the project from the UAE’s official news office HERE.
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